http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/2897186 Tracy McGrady missed Thursday's game to rest and protect a strained groin, but he said he had improved enough that he expects to play Saturday against the Lakers. "I feel better than I did yesterday," McGrady said. "Still not where I want to be. Improvement from yesterday, definitely. I want to play. They won't let me play. "I pretty much think Saturday I should be fine. I'm treating it well. I'm doing the right things and doing what I'm supposed to do. It's coming around. It's getting better. It's not so much my hip anymore, it's my groin and that's getting better." McGrady had said he would win an argument with trainer Keith Jones if he felt able to play. He lost. "I let my guard down a little bit," McGrady said. "He kept his up. But there was nothing I could do. I did everything possible to try to play in this game. I never played 82 games (in a season) in my career. That was one of my personal goals. That's out the window now. More importantly, I'll be ready for Saturday. It's good that they're holding me out." Jones, however, shared McGrady's confidence. "I'm optimistic about Saturday," Jones said. "I told him we'll make a decision (this) afternoon."
I attended yesterdays game against the Wolves. During the pre-game T-Mac was suited up and shooting around. Even though I read that he wasn't going to play, I was hoping he would. The way he was moving around on the court it seems like he may be around 88%. I feel pretty confident that he will play Saturday..... just my 2 penny's.
If not then its another great chance for Boki to hit the 3's! I think we would be ok without him for one more game. We played a better overall team game without him and it was more fun to watch. He should just wait till he is fully recovered so he just doesnt mess up his groin and hip again.
Though Cuttino did play Kobe well, I think if Tracy ends up on Kobe tonight, that you're underestimating his defense. I've seen more T-Mac defense this year than I have all last season and when that guy wants to play D, he is among the league's best. Stuart
well lets see how this game goes and then we can say if we miss his defense or not....but im probably with you when i say that we will end up missing it lol.
I don't think we'll miss Cat as much against Kobe, if for no other reason than that we will probably be letting Kobe get "his" but try to take away all his teammates. That's pretty much the formula that worked against T-Mac and seems to be working so far against Kobe. And when T-Mac comes back at full speed, I think he'll do as good a job defensively on Kobe as anybody else. They really seem to amp up to play against each other.
I agree on Mobley. He was damned good at shutting down Kobe...at least as much as possible with Kobe. Personally, I'm not worried about Kobe. He can get his 40 or so points if he wants. If we play hard nosed, team defense on the rest of the Lakers, there is no reason we should lose.
yeah there is no more shaq we have to worry about. Now it's going to be the role players we have to worry about. Teams are learning that they can let Kobe score all he wants becuase without the rest of the team he can't win. I think we will take the same defense stance...not letting the role players to get into any kind of rythm
As much as I like Cat, T-Mac is much better suited to guarding Kobe Bryant, when healthy. He's as big and as long as Kobe as well as athletic and as talented. He'll make Kobe work on both sides of the court because he's capable of taking over a game.
I might be in the minority on this but I don't think Tracy Mac should play the other teams best offensive player. His responsibilities on offense are to great to ask him to do to much on defense. We ask him to do most of the scoring, play 40 minutes a night, be the primary ball handler on at least half of the teams plays including bringing the ball up court. To then ask him to play the Kobe's and the Ray Allen's of the world is a bit much to me.
You never know they might actually start with JJ on him to give T-Mac the rest...but i have a feeling they are going to be going head to head.
